Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 08/01/2024 Gr 5 Up—Wren is a ghost of who she used to be. Five years ago her mother disappeared without a trace. Every day Wren searches for clues through her police chief dad, online searches, and the MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) movement database. Her elisi (Cherokee for grandmother) is a source of comfort, but there is still something missing. When animals start being hurt and killed, Wren decides to put her research skills to work and find out who is behind the crimes. With her new friend Brantley, she follows the leads until they realize that the person committing these acts may be closer to home than either of them thought. With the backdrop of the Cherokee tribal land in Oklahoma, this book brings into focus the epidemic of missing Indigenous women across the United States in an age-appropriate way. So many of these families, just like Wren's, are given no answers to what happened to their loved ones. Although written for middle schoolers, Reno's debut does not shy away from the truth. With a mystery to solve, students will want to follow Wren on her quest for justice. VERDICT Cherokee writer Reno crafts a powerful debut centering an important issue affecting Indigenous women and families; a strong purchase for all middle schools.—Heather Lassley - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.